Page 48 of Just One Chance

"I can use the time to get caught up on a few jobs." And get started on my plans to elevate my business. But I'd miss spending time with her. I'd gotten used to taking time off from work to show her around.

"I think I'm going to approach your parents to talk about the snow room."

I set my empty plate in the dishwasher. "You still think that's a good idea?"

"It's the one thing that I think could make your inn stand out among the others."

I turned to face her. "You know I think it's a waste of money."

She looked away. "We'll see what your parents think."

I ground my teeth, trying not to tell her that I really thought the idea was crazy. That no one expected it to snow indoors at a mountain inn. It wasn't going to draw any guests, because our visitors expected to experience the outdoors. "Do you need me there when you talk to them?"

"Probably not. Especially since you seem to be against the idea."

I was fairly confident they were all going to think it was a ridiculous waste of time and money.

"It's the one thing I feel the most confident on. I'm not really getting a sense of which direction we could go with the furniture yet. I'm going to spend the next few days researching a few options."

"Do you want to see what I planned? I have a sketchbook of ideas."

She shrugged. "Sure."

I went to my desk where I kept my laptop and paperwork. I found the file folder where I put the sketches that I'd made over the years. Then I carried it to the kitchen.

When I approached, Kennedy pushed her plate away. "Let's see what you've got."

I opened the folder, feeling a little vulnerable. This was my creative work that I rarely shared with anyone. For the most part, people told me what they wanted. This was the first project that I'd drafted on my own. I had no idea if it was any good, especially presenting it to someone who was more likely to lean toward buying new than constructing something from scratch.

She started to peruse the sketches, slowly turning one page, then another. "These are really nice, Boone."

"Really?" I hadn't expected her to appreciate something that was hand drawn.

She looked up from the sketch. "I'm really impressed that you can draw something and then make it out of wood."

I shrugged. "It's something I enjoy doing. I make tables that people gather around for holidays and meals. It's important work. They want their table to be strong and sturdy and to represent them. With the furniture at the inn, I wanted it to be strong and durable but also beautiful. Something a guest would actually notice and not just dismiss."

"I can't even imagine the cost difference between something like this and something that is mass produced for hotels. Usually every room is designed the same. The photographs online then represent all the rooms. With something like this, I don't know how it would work. You're still proposing that each room be different?"

I sat on the stool next to her. "I thought the lower floors could be the same, and then I could do something different on the top floor."

Kennedy moved back to shifting through the sketches. "Do you mind if I take these? I want to take a closer look."

"Of course." I'd already scanned them into my laptop, so I had them saved.

She tidied the stack of papers and closed the folder. "Thanks for breakfast, but I'd better get to work."

I stood, grabbing her dish. "I'll drop you off."

"I'll just get dressed." She gathered her clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.

Was my furniture too nice and expensive for what she'd recommend for Hart Inn? I wanted to do the right thing for my family. At the same time, I saw how many people enjoyed my furniture at the brewery, and I liked the idea of it in the inn for years to come. I thought it set our brewery apart from others. We had a history that guests enjoyed learning about. Wouldn't it be the same with the inn?

I put her dish and mug in the dishwasher.

Kennedy was sitting on the bed. "Are we going to be able to continue what we're doing while I'm working? I'm worried that it will influence my decision."

"That's up to you." I went to my dresser, which was one of my creations, and pulled on a T-shirt. Then I grabbed a pair of jeans, since I was planning to spend the day working in the shop.